Loose-leaf binder



A113412, 1930. N. @DE Loss 1,772,567

` Loqs LEAF BINDER Fled Nov. 13. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATT INVENTOR y Se f HQ ORNE Aug. l2, 1930. N. c. DE Loss l LoosE LEAF BINDER 1926 2 Sheds-Sheet 2 Filed NGV. 15

Patented ug. 12, 19H3 y.

UNITED STATES NOBJYIAIll CLAYBAUGH LOSS, 0F CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO Loose-LEAF 'BINDER applicati@ mea November 13, 192s. serial No. 148,163.

p My invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf binders and more particularly it relates to binders of the type having provisions for automatically contracting the covers -thereof.

One of the objects of my invention Vis to provide a loose-leaf binder wherein the automatic contracting mechanism therefor is disposed mostly in one of the covers of the binder.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved automatically contractible loose-leaf binder, one of the coversof which is adapted to supporta braking mechanism l5 for retarding movement of the contracting mechanism in any of its positions.

Another objectof my invention is to pro-V vide an improved automatically contractible loose-leaf binder, the covers of which may be 2U retained in any of their openk positions.

Another object ofmy invention is to` provide an improved loose-leaf binder wherein the covers of the same maybe prevented from y closing rapidly accidentally.

Another object of my invention isto provide an improved attachment for eXpansible loose-leaf binders which will prevent the leaves from being thrown out of engagement with' the binder straps when the covers are in open position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved loose-leafbinder wherein the leaves of the same are preventedfrom tipping or becomingdisengaged from the y binder .strapswhen the covers of the binder i are in open position or are being moved into any of the open or.,closed positions.

Another object of my inventionis to proi f vide a mechanismV of the class set forth which is durable in construction, readily operable and economical to manufacture. v

Other objects of my invention and the invention itselfwill become apparent from ref- /if erence to the following description of an embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the binder @embodying myinvention; w Y y position, for a purpose which will hereinafter Fig. 2 shows a side elevational view of the same Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 4;

l Fig. 4 is a plan View partly broken away of the binder in opened position;

Fie'. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on uit une 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. .6 is lan enlarged sectional view of an embodiment ofthe brake mechanism taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a fragment of the binder, illustrating lan expanded position of the same; e Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a fragment of the clincher bar.

Referring'to all the figures of the drawings in all of which like parts are designated by like reference characters. At 1 I show in general a loose-leaf binder having at 2 and 3 top and bottom covers respectively, andgat 4 a plurality of leaves disposed between Athe covers and retained therebetween by'a pair of binderstraps 22 and 23. -Clincher'bars 6 and 7 are hingedly connected to -inner ends ofthe covers by virtue of pairsof hinges 8 8 and '9,-9 oppositely disposed in recesses 10, 1,1,

12 and 13 provided in the clincher bars and of the clincher'bars are'formed into complediagonal plane, the hinges being secured prefcover ends respectively. Preferably the inner endsV of the covers and the adjacent sides erably at the outer edges of the dia onal faces ,y

of the clincher bars andV covers. referablfy7 the inner ends 'of the covers are provided with pairsof equallyspaced apertures 60 and 61, and pairs of apertures 62Wand 63 are also provided in the clincher bars normally at right angles to the yopenings 60 and 61, 'and so disposed that they will register with each other when the binder covers are in closed be described.

Each Vof the covers'of my improved binder is preferably constructed of a skeleton frame of lightmetal such as aluminum com-V prising top and bottom spaced frame sec? tions 16 and 17 having transverse cross-pieces .18, 19, and 20. However, it is to he understood that I may employ a rigid material other than a metallic material to construct the sections of the skeleton frame. Spacer bars 21 of a suitable binder material, (or sometimes I may employ a light angle-formed metallicy bar), are interposed between 'the frame sections of each cover, and secured between the same by bolts, rivets or the like, to provide a unitary structure. I sometimes :contemplate employing wooden strips as spacer bars and in such cases I may employ a suitable glue for the purpose of securing the sections of the frame and the spacer' bars toether. A binder-covering materia-l such as eather or buckram encloses the skeleton frame and gives the 4same the appearance of a book cover.

Preferably the contracting mechanism is mounted in the chamber 25 of Vthe cover 2 and com rises .a .pair ofl spring-rotated drums pre erably somewhat similar in construction to fthe carriage-return spring'drums ycommonly employed on standard typewriters, com prising a casing portion 26, peripheral ianges -28 and r29 defining a channel portion 27 and a convolute spring 30, one end of which is secured tothe casing 26 and the other end thereof issecured in a slot 150 in a shaft 31 about which the casing may rotate against the tension of the spring 30. The shaft 31 'has rojecting bearing portions 32 and 33 whi .are adapted to be inserted into apertures, 34 provided in the inter-mediate cross bar`18 to form bearings for the drums. One of the spring drums is adapted for rotation clockwise while, the other is adapted for rotation counter-clockwise. Inasmuch as the spring drums are similar in construction to each other, only one of them has been described in detail.

Y Secured to the casing portion of the spring drums are the pair of flexible binder straps 23 and 22 formed ofme'tallic cable or the like.

VAThese straps partially surround the drums and are disposed in the channels formed in the "drums by the peripheral ianges 28 and .29 thereof. These straps leave the drums tangentially at sides of the drums opposite eachother and disposed in :parallel relation with each other and are adapted to pass through the opening in the end 5wall of the cover and through openings in the clincher bars and through openingsin the end wall of the other cover of the binder wherein they are lanchored at to a spacer bar 21 in any Suitable manner such, for example, as by a `wrapping of wire about the end of the strap.

Each of the leaves 4 of the binder is provided preferably with a pair of aligned holes r50 at lts inner 'end for `the reception of the straps' Vhaving slots 51 cut in the same from the hole to the edge of the sheet to permit the @vos tobe fr )liaeedfon to the binder straps.

The slots 51 are slightly less in width than the diameter of the binder straps and the holes 50, so that when the leaves have been placed on the binder straps they will not per-V mit the leaves to slide olf the same` The brake mechanism heretofore referred to comprises preferably a wedge-shaped brake shoe 37 disposed in close proximity to the peripheral flanges 28 of the two spring drum casings between the same and is provided with a rearwardly extending stern 40. The shoe is of such a size that it will engage but'oneof the peripheral flanges on the drums without engaging the binder straps. However, if desired, the shoe may be made larger in size so that it may engage both peripheral lianges of each of the spring drums without contacting with the straps which are disposed in the channels of the spring drums out of possible contact with the brake shoe so that 1 the wear on the strap by the brake shoeis completely avoided. The cross bar 20 of the cover frame is provided on its inner surface with a collet 41, secured thereto preferably' by screws and provided with a central bore 42 into which the end of the stem 4l() is adapted to project, the bore permitting reciprocation of the stem therein. A compression spring 43 is interposed between the brake shoe and the collet 41 and is coiled aboutthe stem and adapted to normally exert a pressure upon the shoe to force it into braking engagement with the peripheral flanges of the drums. A collet 46 is carried on the inner side of the cross-frame member 2() having an aperture therethrough in alignment with the aperture in the collet 41 for the reception of the stem portion 47 of the brake. The inner wall por tion of the binder adjoining the leaves .is pierced to form a slot 4.4 adjacent the edge el the cover through which a lug projects, preferably formed integral with the brake shoe and being of an arcuate configuration to conform generally to the shape of a human thumb. Preferably the lug is sopositioned relative to the edge of the bin der that it may be conveniently engaged by the thumb of Aan operator when the cover has been gripped to open or close the loose leaf binder. l

The brake shoe may he so positioned relative to the pair of spring drums that the brake effect exerted by the brake shoe by virtue of the tension of the compression spring will be such that the spring drums will not be prevented from operating to permit the inder to be pulled open, in which action the spring drums will be rotated in the direction of the arrows 86 and 87 as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. However, when the binder covers are expanded the brake shoe will prevent their returning to closed position `by virtue ofthe fact that the spring drums, each rotated in the opposite direction of the arrows 86 and 87 will cause the brake shoe to be wedged between the flanges of the spring lOl.

drums and prevent relative mvement'of the same.

I contemplate sometimes forming the brake shoe and peripheral edges of the flanges of the drums with teeth to effect a more positive gripping action between the brake shoe and the drums.

Assuming the binder to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 2Vof the drawings and it .l is desired to place additional leaves in the binder or to remove leaves therefrom, the cover carrying the contracting binder mechanismis swung open and pulled away from the other cover to an expanded position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this position leaves may be inserted or removed from the binder as desired, the binder being retained in its expanded position by virtue of the brake shoe 39. When it is desired to permit the binder to contract, the operator grips the top cover in his hand adjacent the projecting lug 45 and reciprocates the latter towards the edge of the cover and thereby reciprocates the brake shoe away fromtheperipheral flanges lof the drums against the tension of the spring 43, accordinglythe brake on the automatic contracting'mechanism is released and the spring drums will then exert a pull upon the binder straps and lthereby cause the other cover to be pulled .toward the first cover carrying the automatic contracting Amechanism and the brake. The

binder has now been contracted and the leaves are properly gripped between the clincher barsl 6 and 7. i

When it is merely desired to employ the binder without removing or replenishing the supply the leaves thereof thebinder may be swunginto the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the leaves lthereofbeing retained generally in. the position shown by virtue of the clamping action of the clincher lbars 6 and 7 so that there is no possibility of the leaves accidentally jumping olf Vof the 1 binder straps clear of the binder.

'v It will be readily understood from the foregoing that my improved binder may be expanded to any thickness by varyingv the length of the binderr straps or by varying the point at which the binder strap is secured to the spring drum.` Preferably, I employ .binder straps and so position them on the f spring Vdrums ,thatk the Vbinder may be exf panded to a thickness of approximately six Minches. It will be apparent also that the binder will not closek rapidly whenin open position nor will it` accidentally close when in open position due to the effect of the brake on the spring drums which retain the same locked in position when the binder has been opened or expanded.

- The binder covers and expansible mechaand brake are formed of 'materials which are durable in construction andwhich will not readily become broken or outof orving mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums journaled in one of the covers, .retractile springs secured in said drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tending to rotate the drums by virtue of theireifort to retract, and a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, the opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said springactuated drums constantly exerting a pullV upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers towards each other, andalbrake carried adjacent the drums and adapted to frictionally engage the same for restraining rotation of the drums. Y j

2. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, aretracting mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums, said covers each comprisinga pair VA,\

of spaced skeleton frame members, said drums journaled in said skeleton frames, springs secured in said-drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tending to 'rotate the drums by virtue of their effort to retract and a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, vthe opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said spring-actuated drums constantly exerting a pull upon` the binder straps to normally draw the covers towards each other, and a brake carried adjacent the drums and adapted 'to friction- `ally engage the same for restraining rotation of the drums. r

3. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said coverseach comprising a j pair of spaced skeleton frame members, and providing a space in which a pair of drums are journaled for rotation, said mechanism comprising said drums, retractile springs securedV in said drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tending to rotatethe drums by virtue of their effort to retract, and a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the bind erV straps being secured to the drums, the

opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said spring-actuated drums,

prising said drums, retractile convolute .springs having their ends secured within said y drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tending to rotate the drums by virtue of their eiort to retract, and a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, the opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said spring-actuated drums constantly exerting a pull upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers towards each other.I said`drums comprising spaced skeleton disk members `having a channel port-ion therebetween for the binder straps.

5. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the covers to veach other, said mechanism comprising a-pair of drums carried by one of the covers, retractile convolute springs secured to said drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tend- .1; ing to rotate the Vdrums by virtue of their :effort to retract, and a pair of binder straps connected to the drums at one end and being anchored at their opposite ends to the other cover, and a clincher bar hingedly carried by each of the cove-rs, said spring-actuated drums constantly exerting a. pull upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers and the clincher bars towards each other, said clincher bars adaptable to engage a plurality of leaves therebetween to bind the same together by virtue of the pull imparted to it by the binder straps.

6.` In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums carried by one of the covers, rectractile convolute springs secured to said drums adapted to constantly exerta pressure tending to rotate the drums by virtue of their effort to retract, and a pair of binder straps connected to the drums at one end and being anchored at their opposite ends to the other cover, and a clinched bar hinge-illy carried by each of the covers, said spring-actuated drums constantly exerting a pull upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers and the clincher bars towards each other, Said clincher bars adaptable to engage a plurality of leaves therebetween to bind the same together by virtue of the ull imparted to it by the binder straps, and raking means carried adjacent the drums and adapted to frictionally engage the same for restraining relative movement of the covers.

7 VIn a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums journaled in one of the covers, retracticle springs secured in said drums adapted to constantly exert a pressure tending to rotate the Adrums by virtue of their effort to retract, a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, the opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said springactuated drums constantly exerting a" pull upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers towards each other, and a brake member carried by one of the covers and having Va shoe portion disposed between the drums and adapted to frictionally engage the same for locking the same against rotation.

8. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the coversto each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums carried by one of the covers, re-

tractile springs secured in said drums adaptl" ed to constantly exert a pressure tending to rotate the drums by virtue of their effortto retract, `a pair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, the opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said sprin actuated drums constantly exerting a pul upon the binder straps to normally draw the covers towards each other, and a brake member carried by one of the covers, said brake member comprising a reciprocable brake shoe, a coiled spring compressed to the rear of the shoe for normally pressing the shoe into engagement with the brake drums for restraining relative movements of the covers by virtue of the retractibility of the coiled spring.

9. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a top cover and a bottom cover, a retracting mechanism for connecting the covers to each other, said mechanism comprising a pair of drums carried by one or the covers, retractible springs secured in said drums adapted to constantlyexert a pressure tending to rotate the drums by virtue of their effort to retract, apair of binder straps, one end of each of the binder straps being secured to the drums, the opposite end thereof being anchored to the opposed cover, said spring-actuated drums constantly exerting a pull upon the binder straps to normallyL draw the covers towards each other, and a brake member carried by one of the covers, said 'brake member comprising a brake shoe, a spring compressed to the rear of the brake shoe and adapted to normally press the brake shoe between Vthe brake drums to simultaneously engage each of the drums for restraining. relative movement thereof. e

10. In a loose leaf binder, the combination vwith ya pair of relatively movable covers,.'of

a binder contracting mechanism inoneof f said covers, comprising rotatable drums jour! -the other coverwindable'on' said drums, a

brake in frictioiial engagement with portions of both drums adapted to restrain the drums from pulling the cords to cause relative movement of the covers,i l v 12. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of relatively movable covers, one of said covers com-V prising a skeleton frame, a rotatable drum journaled in the frame, a brake for the drum, said brake comprising a brake shoe, a spring normally pressing the shoe into engagement with the drum, a cord windable on the drum and secured thereto and secured at the other end to the other cover anda manually engageable trigger to release thebrake.

13. In a loose leaf binder, the combination of a pair of covers, ends forthe covers, each end and its cover being hingedly secured together, drums journaled in one of said-covers, springs in said drums connercted'thereto, a plurality of flexible straps each having an end thereof connected to the other of the covers and the opposite end thereof `secured to a drum, said springs normally adapted to exert a torque on the drums, which torque is imparted to the straps to draw the cover ends towards each other to adapt them to clamp a plurality of leaves inserted therebetween.

14. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with a pair of covers, means for connecting the covers in spaced relation to each other, drums Journaled in one 'of said covers, springs in said drums connected thereto, and a plurality of flexible straps, having an end thereof secured to the otherA of said covers and the opposite end thereof securedl to the drums,

said springs normally operating said drums to cause a tension upon the straps to draw the covers towards each other.

15. In a loose leaf binder, the combination 'covers and the opposite end thereof secured to the retractingmechanism, said retractingfA mechanism normally exerting a tension upon lthe straps to draw the cover ends towards :each other to adapt them to clamp a plurality of leaves inserted therebetween, and a brake carried by acover adjacent the retracting mechanism adapted to normally restrain movement thereof.

16. In a loose leaf binder, the combination `with, a: pair of relatively movable covers,

means for connecting the coversV in spaced Y v relation to each other comprising aretracting mechanism mounted in one of the covers and a plurality of flexible straps, each strap having an end thereof secured to oneofsaid covers and the opposite end thereof secured to the retracting mechanism,`said mechanism' normally exerting a tension upon thestraps to draw the covers towards each other, and a brake carriedby a cover adjacent theretractingmechanism adapted to normally restrain movement thereof. 1

17. In a loose leafbinder, thefcombination of a pair of relatively movable covers, a pair of clincher bars, each hinged Vto a different one .ofthe covers, a retracting mechanism, and a plurality of flexible straps havingone end thereof anchored to one of the covers and the opposite end thereof secured to the retracting mechanism within Lthe other cover, said mechanism normally exerting a tension lsprings in saidV drums, a pair of flexible binderpstraps having one `end connected'to said drums, and the other endto the other cover, ysaid drums adapted .to exert Va tension on thebinder straps by virtue of the retractibility of the springs contained Atherein to draw the covers towards each other.

` 19. `In a loose leaf binder, the combination with a pair of relatively movable covers,va retracting mechanism carried by one yof said Vcovers and securing the covers to each other,

comprising a pluralitylof drums, retractile springs in said drums, a pair of flexiblebinder straps having `one end connectedftor` said drums, and the other end to the other cover, said drums adapted to exert a tension-on they binderstraps by virtue of the retractibility of the springsfcontained therein to draw the covers towards each other, and a brake mounted in one of the covers adjacent the-retractingpmechanism and adapted to engage therewith to normally restrain vmovement thereof. y v, 20. lIn aploose leaf binder, the combination with a pair of relatively movable covers, a retracting mechanism` carried bywoneof llO :said-'covers and securing the covers to each Y wother,ccomprising a plurality of drums, re- .tractile springs inl said drums, a pair of ilex- -ible binder straps having one end connected 51.430 saidA drums, and the other end to the other rover, said drums adapted to exert a tension onithe binder straps by virture of the retrac- L tibility of the springs contained therein to` `draw the coverstowards each other, a spring pressedl brake member carried by one o-f the :covers adjacent the retracting mechanism, isaidbrake having a shoe portion normally engageablewith the said `retractile .mecha i21. In a loose leaf binder, the combination -fwithna pairHof-relatively movable covers, a

:attracting mechanismcarried by one of said to the retracting mechanism '.adaptedfnor# c mally ,to engage the l braking :surface :and le- `strain winding movement of 'the A-.dwmiri device.

covers and securing the covers to each other, `:comprising .a plurality of drums, retractlle msprmgsvm asaid drums, a ypair offlexible fzbinder straps lhaving one endconnected to said drums, and the other-end to .the other Hoover, isaidv drums adapted to exert ay tension `:on` the binderfstraps Hby virtureof 4the regtractibilitysof the springs contained therein to .drawwthe coversztowards each other,` a spring-pressed' brake member carried by one vof the vcovers adjacent the retracting mechanism, said brake having a shoe portion nor- 30. mallyengageable IWiththe saidV retractilo F mechanism, said brakeV havinga laterally projecting portionengageable by the finger of .fan 1 operator nfor .reciprocating the brake Ishoe rout f of contact with 'the Ibinder mechaznismzagainst the tension of said spring.

y "22; In a loose leafbinder, the -c combination mofa pair offcovers, ends for thezcovers, each fendianddtscoverbeing hingedly secured together, :a retracting mechanism vmounted fin -40' one rof isaid covers, .avplurality l of `iexible "straps, each having an .end thereof .connected "toftheuother of the covers and thelopposite -end thereof being secured to the retracting nxechanism` said retracting-` mechanism com- .fiprising spring-operated Winding devices for the straps adapted normally to exerttension on `thestrapstodraw the cover ends toward leach other to, adapt them to clamp av plurality offaleavesinserted vtherebetweenV and a l gorbrake-carried by said4 first cover adjacent the tlrtracting mechanism comprisinga pair of spring-operatedfvvinding drum devices, normally exerting tension upon the straps to draw the covers toward each other,fthe drum devices being provided with annular braking V05-`Surfaces andabrake carried by -said first :connectedto the other of the covers and the opposite Aend thereof being secured t0 the new -tractingimechanism, said retracting mechaimsm comprising av spring-operated Winding -V device for the strapnormally exertinga'tension on the strap to draw the covers toward i eachother, the winding device beingpro-- 8o vided "with an annular braking surface, and

a brake :carried bysaid firstcoveradjacent 

